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TORONTO, Sept. 5 /CNW/ - The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) extends its
sincere condolences to the family of Mark Graham, the Canadian soldier and
Olympian who was killed in Afghanistan yesterday after being mistakenly hit by
fire from a U.S. warplane.
"We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Mark Graham," said
COC President Michael Chambers. "As an Olympian and as a Private in the
military, Mark dedicated his life to representing Canada. He will forever be
remembered as a courageous patriot and an outstanding athlete. He will be
dearly missed."
Graham, 33, was a member of Canada's 4 x 400-metre relay team at the 1992
Olympic Games. Alongside teammates Byron Goodwin, Mark Jackson, Freddie
Williams and Anthony Wilson, Graham helped lead Canada to a 13th-place finish
in Barcelona.
"Mark Graham was a man of great character who was an excellent role model
during his athletic career," said Jackson. "While this is an extremely
difficult time for his family and friends, we can take comfort in knowing that
Mark took great pride in serving his country and that he died doing what he
felt was right. We are all deeply proud of him and all that he accomplished."
Following the 1992 Olympic Games, Graham attended the University of
Nebraska on a track and field scholarship before continuing his collegiate
career at Kent State University in Ohio.
Among his notable achievements, Graham represented Canada at the 1994
Commonwealth Games and captured a silver medal in the 400 metres during both
the 1993 and 1994 Canadian Track and Field Championships. He retired from
athletics in 1994 due to injuries.
The Canadian Olympic Committee is a national, private, not-for-profit
organization committed to sport excellence. It is responsible for all aspects
of Canada's involvement in the Olympic movement, including Canada's
participation in the Olympic and Pan American Games and a wide variety of
programs that promote the Olympic Movement in Canada through cultural and
educational means. For more information, see the COC website: www.olympic.ca.
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